A final message from Regional Language Network London

Welcome to the twelfth and final edition of the RLN London Newsletter.

Funding to support RLN London’s team is coming to a close at the end of March 2010, leaving the very comprehensive RLN London website to offer ongoing support for languages and cultural knowledge in London at www.rln-london.com. We’ve really enjoyed working with so many businesses and individuals across the capital over the past few years – online and in person – to create what we hope will be a lasting legacy. Here are some highlights of our work over the last two and half years:

• Our website received 125,000 website visits
• 60,000 copies of our documents were downloaded
• We created a network of over 450 language and cultural service providers registered on our online Service Finder search facility
• We worked with over 70 businesses on our Welcoming the World training programme which paves the way for outstanding customer service for international visitors – before, during and after the 2012 Games
• A wide range of business guides were developed on translation, language training, recruitment and more
• We spoke at over 40 events to raise awareness of the value of language skills for business, careers and the 2012 Games
• We dealt with over 800 enquiries from a wide range of organisations, businesses and individuals
• 47 schools and 33 businesses were partnered on the Business Language Champions programme, which continues into 2010/11.

Best wishes from all the RLN London team. 

Jane Collis - Director
Sally King – Project Support Officer
Dominic Luddy – Consultant, Web and Marketing
Pinky Sidhu – Business Language Champions Co-ordinator
Louise Towler – Web Developer
Heather Barker – Research Consultant and Trainer
Linda Cadier – Business and Intercultural Consultant

Business Language Champions

British Airways have continued their sterling work in promoting language learning through their Flag Award programme, training up three teachers from Nonsuch High School in Sutton and Eastlea School in Newham.  Over 200 students from these schools are expected to complete the award this year.

Pinky Sidhu will continue to co-ordinate the expanding BLC programme throughout 2010.  Look out for updates on activities in the coming weeks by new champions including the Metropolitan Police, Rosetta Stone, EdComs and the Civil Service on the legacy RLN London website where we will continue to share news on Business Language Champions in London. In the meantime, why not visit the brand new national Business Language Champions blog page and swap stories with other members of this growing community?

In the news

Languages and the 2012 Games debated at the Lords
Baroness Coussins led a motion in January at the House of Lords, drawing attention to the vital importance of languages in connection with the 2012 Games and the need for interpreters, linguist volunteers and supporting programmes like RLN London's Welcoming the World. “We have much of the raw material at our fingertips in a richly multilingual capital city,” she said.

Employers rank languages the most desirable skill after IT
A recent survey conducted for CILT, the National Centre for Languages has revealed that employers rank foreign language skills as second only to IT in prospective candidates.  43 per cent of recruiters say speaking a second language gives a jobseeker the ‘X-factor’ when applying for work.  Those interested in a career with languages can find out more on the newly launched Languages Work website. 

Number of students taking languages at 14 still in decline
CILT’s Language Trends survey has revealed that the proportion of schools in England where more than 50 per cent of pupils study a language in year 10 has dropped from 45% in 2008-9 to 40% in the current school year.  Schools are taking part in a wide range of new initiatives such as Business Language Champions to improve take up, and they are already starting to show an impact on pupils’ attitudes.

Upcoming events

Lecture by Sergio Viaggio – 13 March 2010, Friends House NW1
Former UN interpreter, teacher of translation and interpreting and first Vice President of the European Society of Translation Studies Sergio Viaggio is giving a lecture organised by the Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters.  

Turkey Business Forum event – 17 March 2010, City of London Corporation EC2
Find out about the Turkish market and gain privileged access to business opportunities at this event.  The Turkish Minister of Trade, Zafer Çağlayan, will be attending the forum, accompanied by a 40-strong delegation of business representatives from a variety of sectors.